Our Coaching Team
Michiel Buursma
Christchurch United welcomed Michiel to the football club in August 2019. Michiel’s vast football experience made him the ideal fit to become the club’s Head of Coaching and Methodology which perfectly aligns with TOVO. Michiel has 15 years of coaching experience and a degree in Sports, Health and Management. He started coaching in the Netherlands, where he also coordinated the youth scouting department and the development program of a professional club. After many years coaching in the Netherlands, he started his international adventure moving to the US to coach at Houston Dutch Lions F.C. in Texas. He then studied High Performance Coaching and worked with the TOVO Academy in Barcelona before moving to the Cayman Islands.
Danny Halligan
Coach
Danny became our First Team Coach after completing five successful seasons coaching Ferrymead Bays, winning the title in 2017, as well as the English Cup in 2016. Danny initially joined the star-studded, all-conquering Christchurch United team in 1987 to win three National League titles and two Chatham Cups, before embarking on a professional career with Brisbane United in the Australian League. He returned to Christchurch United in 1993 and unexpectedly found himself in his first coaching role, while still a key player, at a tender age of 28 when legendary coach Terry Conley retired. The first two players he recruited were two school boys called Ryan Nelsen and Ben Sigmund.
Rob Sherman
UEFA-Pro Coach and Consultant.
Christchurch United Academy players are currently enjoying the luxury of soaking up the expertise of one football’s most influential player development brains. Rob Sherman recently returned to Christchurch after stepping down as Technical Director at Football Federation Australia (FFA), and as his travel options are limited by Covid-19, he has agreed to run an training programme with the Christchurch United Academy. “We are incredibly honoured that Rob has agreed to join our Academy trainings for the coming weeks,” says Christchurch United Head of Coaching Michiel Buursma.
Joe Cole
Joe has been in many roles in sport from coach, strength and conditioning, performance analyst, data scientist and sports scientist. He wrote the software now known as Smartabase which is the worlds leading athlete management system now used globally by professional and olympic teams to track, manage and analyse the performance of world class athletes. Along this journey he has worked with some of the best in the game, and uses information from best practice to help enhance the structure and delivery of the CUFC program. Joe also coaches one of the academy teams.
Jude Fitzpatrick
Coach
Jude has recently finished his degree in Exercise Sports Science and is now continuing his study with a teaching diploma. Jude’s footballing experience includes 5 seasons of National League with Southern United as well as various coaching roles, most recently being Head Coach of John McGlashan College’s 1st XI in Dunedin. Graduate of the TOVO T1 & T2 coaching course in Barcelona.
Danil Kornilov
He was born in Russia, where he lived almost all of his life. He started playing football when he was only four years old. He went through all levels in the football academy from his native town and dedicated all his time to football. The time came when he realized that he couldn’t be a professional player, but he decided to stay in football in any role. Danil joined our club during Christmas 2019 and as he says “it is so lovely to be a part of something huge”. Danil is currently the coach of Christchurch United U10 Nelsen, running our U4-8 program. Also, he is involved in a holiday program and delivering sessions to primary schools.
Davend Henry
Davend is without question one of the most dedicated individuals within Christchurch United Football Club. From coaching our young Academy players, to volunteering on the weekends with the club BBQ and helping on Senior match days — Davend is a massive part of CUFC running smoothly. You’ll often find Davend doing extra work with his talented sons once other training sessions have finished. Graduate of the TOVO T1 & T2 coaching course in Barcelona.
Elijah Capill
Coach
Elijah has been with Christchurch United for several years now and came across from Spreydon to the Christchurch Football Centre at Yaldhurst after the club’s merger. In addition to being our U9 Head Coach, Elijah also coaches the young U4-U8 players, and plays for Christchurch United Reserves. Elijah is a football fanatic and can be regularly found at the training ground developing his skills.
Omar Ali
Omar coaches both U11 and U4-8 in our junior field of football. Omar has been coaching at the club since the start of last year with previous experience from coaching at Halswell. He transitioned to Christchurch United as a player, where he is now playing in the mens’ reserves team. He has licence junior Level 1 and 2 coaching licences, as well as Tovo and youth level 2 coaching licenses.
Tony Harvey
Coach
Also known as “coach tony” to the playing staff, Tony Harvey has been coaching since 1971 after suffering from his own footballing injuries. He gained his senior New Zealand coaching badge in 1975. He started coaching with Christchurch City in 1971 and moved from there to Christchurch United. Tony coached at a high senior level with greats of the game Terry Conley & Terry Mann from 1972/73. He moved to Western AFC in 1977 and coached them to a Southern League Championship. He was also a Canterbury Regional coach in the 80’s where he worked alongside junior talent. He also coached at St Andrews College for 23 years and worked 25 years with Sport Canterbury until retirement. He re-joined the Christchurch Football Centre and Christchurch United in 2014 — coaching at ALL junior levels for the club. He is currently working on obtaining his coaching licenses.
Lew Gordon
• Coach of U11 Wooddin team. Joined CUFC
since 2014
• Degree in Sports Coaching of Canterbury University
• NZF Junior & Youth Level 2 Licenses,Oceania C License
• TOVO T1 & T2 coaching course
• 6 years coach experience
• Plays as a center-back
• Enjoy playing board games
• Lew: “I am just happy that I’m able to have a positive impact on kids liveand keep there passion for football going and growing while developing other areas and becoming a better person.
Liam Miller
A coach and player, Liam has completed a Degree of Product Design, along with a number of university coaching courses. He has his New Zealand Football youth Level 2 and Junior Level 2 licenses and is working towards his senior C coaching license. Liam joined the club at the start of 2019, initially with Under 4-8s, quickly moving to pre-academy level (U10), as well as assisting academy teams. His previous experiences include coaching throughout highschool, combined with coaching in a track and field background, as well as currently coaching St. Andrews College 2nd XI. He plays for Christchurch United’s reserves team.
DANNY HALLIGAN
COACH
Danny became our First Team Coach after completing five successful seasons coaching Ferrymead Bays, winning the title in 2017, as well as the English Cup in 2016. Danny initially joined the star-studded, all-conquering Christchurch United team in 1987 to win three National League titles and two Chatham Cups, before embarking on a professional career with Brisbane United in the Australian League. He returned to Christchurch United in 1993 and unexpectedly found himself in his first coaching role, while still a key player, at a tender age of 28 when legendary coach Terry Conley retired. The first two players he recruited were two school boys called Ryan Nelsen and Ben Sigmund.
LEW GORDON
COACH
- Coach of U11 Wooddin team. In CUFC from 2014
- Degree in Sports Coaching of Canterbury University
- NZF Junior & Youth Level 2 Licenses,Oceania C License
- TOVO T1 & T2 coaching course
- 6 years coach experience
- Plays as a center-back
- Enjoy playing board games
- Lew: “I am just happy that I’m able to have a positive impact on kids liveand keep there passion for football going and growing while developing other areas and becoming a better person.
HIGH PERFORMANCE ACADEMY
U13—U19 ACADEMY PROGRAM
This program is aimed at any player aged between 13−19 years old.
ADDITIONAL
- Morning trainings
- Technification trainings
- Goalkeeper trainings
- 1v1 Individual Trainings
- Available to players from
all over Christchurch